Finding connection in the everyday | Klaudia Mierzejewski | TEDxTIU
This is not her life story.
It is about searching for meaning, for connection, for a sense of home in places where she didn’t speak the language, know the rules, or fully understand herself.
In this talk, she shares reflections from a decade of moving through countries, careers, and conversations—and how each unfamiliar place brought her a bit closer to who she really is. Through these experiences, she has learned that real growth doesn’t happen when you’re comfortable; it happens when you feel completely out of place and decide to stay anyway.
This talk isn’t about having the answers. It’s about being honest when you don’t. It is for anyone navigating identity, ambition, and belonging in a world that looks hyper-connected but often feels isolating.
Her hope is that something in this imperfect, in-progress story gives others permission to explore their own—wherever they are right now. Klaudia is a Business Developer and Growth Strategist with 10+ years of experience across Europe and Asia. She has led business, brand, and product initiatives in both startups and established teams, working closely with engineers to turn ideas into real impact. Originally from Poland, she’s lived in the UK, Spain, and now Japan, where she explores how emotional wellness, technology, and cultural nuance intersect. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 16:17Theatre is play with superpowers | David Catanzarite | TEDxRancho MirageFrom childhood role-playing to professional stages, theatre taps into a universal instinct: play. Theatre transforms communities, heals divisions, and even saves lives—showing us that the arts are not a luxury, but essential to human health and connection. David Catanzarite is a master stage director and expert educator. He has directed 200 professional and college productions in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Prague, South Africa, Toronto, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Catanzarite began his teaching career at the age of 26 as a theatre instructor at Stanford University. He served as Theatre faculty at California State University, San Bernardino/Palm Desert Campus. At Green Room Theatre, Mr. Catanzarite has directed The Dresser, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Twelve Angry Men, To Kill A Mockingbird, Pop-up Shakespeare, numerous melodramas, and a holiday production of Gift of the Magi that toured African American Churches across the Coachella Valley. For Green Room Summer Conservatory he directed sold-out productions of Sister Act, Annie Get Your Gun, The Pirates of Penzance, Mary Poppins, Oliver!, and Fiddler on the Roof at the Indian Wells Theatre (and many more shows). This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 7:48Del laboratorio a la mesa | Marlen Echávez | TEDxRiohachaDescubre como Marlen cambió su vida Marlen ejerció durante más de 11 años como bacterióloga, dedicando parte de su vida al sector de la salud. Sin embargo, su verdadera vocación la llamaba desde las cocinas. Decidió dar un giro radical a su carrera, sumergiéndose en el mundo de la gastronomía. Estudió cocina, y desde ese momento, su perfil cambió por completo para convertirse en una exitosa empresaria.Marlen se ha formado en gestión administrativa de negocios gastronómicos, costos de alimentos y bebidas, franquicias, entre otros. Todo este conocimiento la ha llevado a liderar con éxito Al Arz Delicias Árabes, un restaurante que no solo es un deleite para el paladar, sino también un testimonio de su visión y determinación.Hoy, la marca Al Arz ha trascendido fronteras, llevando su sabor y su historia de emprendimiento a otras ciudades como Valledupar y Barranquilla.¡Una historia de sabor y emprendimiento que sigue creciendo! This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 16:48The Coachella Valley's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem | James Lee | TEDxRancho MirageEntrepreneurship doesn’t just belong to Silicon Valley—it can thrive in the Coachella Valley. This serial entrepreneur reveals how small, intentional steps—nurturing talent, sparking innovation, and building networks—can grow into a thriving local ecosystem. This talk is a call to action: the time to build is now. Growth-focused senior executive and serial entrepreneur with an extensive track record of building organizations, revenue streams, and measurable impact across business, startup, and nonprofit sectors: Successfully led business development in the healthy meals and education technology sectors • Headed innovative education-focused organizations • Built multiple businesses as a private sector serial entrepreneur • Developed revenue streams, partnerships, strategy, programs, teams, and organizations as a senior executive, board member, and sought-after consultant, advisor, and mentor • Helped organizations scale sustainably while moving from good to great. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 17:53Journey towards taking charge of your life | Madhukar Gupta | TEDxBITSPilaniIn this TEDx talk, Dr Madhukar Gupta shares an inspiring perspective on taking charge of one's life. He emphasises self-awareness, resilience, and the power of conscious choices in shaping our journey towards personal and professional fulfilment. Dr Gupta, a distinguished scholar and administrator, has held key roles in the government, UNDP, academia, and international organizations. He has also coordinated major disaster responses and agitations and is an adjunct faculty at IIT Madras and BITS Pilani. He has travelled to over 50 countries for his academic and professional work and recieved numerous natonal awards. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 10:02How AI Helped Me Dream Bigger, and Then Build It | Terrence Yang | TEDxYouth@GrandviewHeightsTerrence discovered that AI could become a creative partner to help him research, test ideas, and build projects beyond the classroom. From business concepts to short films and plays, he shows how students can turn curiosity into action and bring bold ideas to life. Terrence is a middle school student from Guangzhou whose interest in entrepreneurship has led him to take part in business competitions and think about solutions for global challenges like climate change. He uses AI as a creative tool to write acrostic poems, produce movies, and develop unique projects. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 18:28¿Y si todo lo que crees... depende de lo que te contaron? | Camilo Duque | TEDxRiohachaSiempre se debe conocer el otro lado de la historia Camilo Duque es diseñador gráfico, publicista y especialista en marketing. Durante más de 12 años trabajó en el mundo corporativo, liderando proyectos creativos y estratégicos para diferentes marcas. Sin embargo, su vida dio un giro radical hace siete años, cuando decidió tomar una cámara y comenzar a contar historias desde el lugar donde más le apasiona estar: el camino.Hoy, Camilo es uno de los creadores de contenido de viajes más influyentes de Colombia, con una comunidad que supera los 3 millones de seguidores en redes sociales. Sus relatos van más allá del turismo: exploran realidades culturales, sociales y humanas que conectan profundamente con su audiencia.Diversos medios de comunicación lo han reconocido como una de las voces más auténticas e impactantes en la creación de contenido digital en el país. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx